Air cleaner



Patented Aug. 4, 1931 J'OSEPH IE'. REMINGTON, OF PHILADELIHIA., PENNSYLVANIA AIR CLEANEB Application filed September 22, 1927. Serial No. 221,255.

This invention relates to air cleaners useful in connection with the carburetters of internal combustion engines to cleanse the air stream entering the same of media conducive 5 to inefiicient engine operation. More specifically the present improvements have reference to air cleaners of the type that embody a co'mparatively large area which is coated with oily vapor, and interposed in the path of air en route to the carburetter.

Separation of the air and deleterious gases v from the oil in connection with the crank cases of internal combustion engines has, of

recent years, been extensively developed, and the principle upon which most of such separation, or more commonly termed ventlaton, has been efiected is that a vacuum, produced either by a connection to the carburetter-or by other means such as the fan, sucks-ofthe vapors from the' crank-case, so that said crank-case is normally placed under reduced atmospheric pressure at all times While the .engine is running. In order to counteract the disadvantages incident to this maintenance of reduced atmospheric pressure, an opening,

or a breather, is located m the rear of the engine so that fresh air is drawn into the crank case at one end and sucked out at the other.

Since the air thus drawn in carries road dust With it, there is danger of increasing wear on the bearings and other internal parts of the engine, which has been partially over'- come by the application of an air cleaner to the opening or breather aforesaid.

Prinarily my present invention aims to eliminate the noted-and other-disadvan tages by preventing crank-case oil from be ing diluted with gasoline which gets into the oil by seepage past the piston rings, on the compression and explosion stroke, especially in cold Weather or when using the choke.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of air cleaner embodying a sinusoidal surface, which functions in the capacity of an outlet or What term a oentlator for the vapors that usually accumulate in the crank-case and valve chests of an internal combustion engine; said vapors being difused over the sinusoidal surface 50 which also serves as the trapping medium for dust and other impuritics contained in the air en route to the carburetor.

Since the crank-case can be made to function as an ideal distilling means in view of the fact that While the motor is running, the oil temperature ranges from 200 to 220 degrees, Fahrenheit; or, in other words, suflicient to vaporize gasoline and water, it merely requires that an exit for the volatile constituents of the crank-case be located in the top of the crank-case and a-condenser for these vapors be likewise provided, said condenser in the instant case consisting of the air cooled sinusoidal surface in the air cleaner, from Which the lighter hydro-carbons are re-evaporated.

A further object is to provide a simple, eflicient and thoroughly reliable, air filtering device or crank case ventilator that is capable of economical manufacture; as Well as one that is easy of application to an automobile motor-for example-and Connecting to the carburetor.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be manifest as it is better understood from the following description which, When considered in conjunction With the accompanying drawings, illustrates a convenient embodiment thereof; while the subjoined claims serve to define those features deemed novel in the art.

In the drawings Fig. I is a side view of a Conventional inn ternal combustion engine having my novel air cleaner or crank case ventilator applied thereto.

Fig. II is a longitudinal section on a larger Scale-through the air cleaner device, with certain parts in elevation to better depict the invention; and,

Fig. III is a cross section taken as indicated by the'arrows III-III, in the precedng VleW.

Referring more in detail to the drawings and directing attention firstly to Fig. I, a conventional motor, for a standard type of automobile, is characterized generally by the reference numeral 5, while 6 and 7 respectively designate the fuel intake and exhaust manifolds thereof. Such a motor 5 is fitted with a carburetter 8 connected directly to the fuel intake manifold 6, and my novel air cleaner, comprehensively designated 9, is attached to the inlet or air horn 10, of said carburetter, by means of an appropriate clamping strap 11 and bolt 12.

The air cleaner 9, as best seen in Fig. II, comprises a tubular shell 13 which is fitted at the inner end with a dished cap 14:, having a flared mouth 15, with which is engaged one end 16 of an adapter 17. Particular attention is directed to the fact that the adapter 17 is medially provided with a corrugation 18, a beaded lip 19, and that the air cleaner end 16, aforesaid, is slightly defiected relative 'to the axis of the part 17. This provision enables ready adjustment of the air cleaner device 9, to the air horn 10, of any standard carburetter by simply turning the part 16 around, to accommodate different positions maintained by the carburetter 8, on varying designs of motors. It is also to be noted that the fitment of the adapter end 16, in the dished cap 14, with its projection in the tubular shell 13, as shown in Fig. II, affords a surrounding space-thereabout-effective to trap heavier particles of matter, such as sand, etc., drawn into the device.

In the type of air cleaner shown, the obj ect of mounting the tubular shell 13 witha downward inclination is for the purpose of rendering same self-cleaning, as I have found that in the average type of motor fitted with my novel air-cleaner 9, there is considerable excess of vapor condensed over and above what is actually required to trap the normal amount of dust collected. As a result the condition of said cleaner 9, after a lengthy period of use, becomes such that the condensed oil will drip or drain from the lower end thereof, carrying much of the collected dust with it, so that frequent detachment or dismantling for cleaning purposes is not required.

F itted snugly within the air cleaner shell 13 is an insert member in the form of a sinusoidal or transversely corrugated spiral 20 that defines a circuitous course for air flowing into the carburetter 8, and it affords, conjointly with said shell, an extensive surface 'over which oily vapor, from the engine crank-case or valve chest, is distributed, in the manner and for the purpose later on explained. This insert or spiral 20, it will be remarked, has its forward end abuting medially across the adapter end 16, while its rear or outer end Similarly abuts-or is secured to-a tube 21, disposed diametrically across the lower air inlet end of the air cleaner shell 13, and afforded support by means of a flange ferrule 22, while it is rigidly held in place by a screw 23, in an obvious manner. This tube 21 is longitudinally slotted at 24, for a purpose hereafter set forth, While it projects ext'erior of the ferrule 22 sufIiciently 4 to afford securing connection for one end of a flexible pipe 25, the other end whereof is Similarly attached to the outwardly protruding end of a pipe 26, obliquely projected into the upper region of the engine crank-caseor the valve chamber 27; said pipe 26 being held in place by lock nuts 28, one of which only is shown, applied to the inside and outside of the Valve chest cover 29, in an obvious manner.

With the device 9 properly mounted and connected to the air horn 10 of the carburetter 8 and the flexible connection 25 secured to the pipe 26 as set forth, it will be readily understood that, incidental to operation of the motor 5, air will be drawn into the open end of the shell 13. Concurrently therewith heated oily-vapor from the upper region of the engine crank case, or-as shown-from -the valve chamber 27, will be drawn by way of the pipe 26, flexible connection 25, and tube 21, into the shell 13 for constant diflusion transversely by the inflowing air-over the entire surface of the spiral 20, as well as the inner wall of the cleaner shell 13. As a result of such diffusion of the 'oily vapor with a whirling action-incident to'flow oyer the spiral 20-the entering air is effectively cleansed of all dust and solid matter likely to interfere either with the proper action of the carbureter 8, or to cause wear` of the en-` gine cylinders and pistons through introduction with the fuel mixture- Furthermore, it will be obvious that only solid matter capable of beingcentrifugalized will-under the induced whirling action set up in the air flow by passage over the spiral 20-be advanced forwardly of the device 9 and collected in the trapping space 30, surrounding the adapter part 16, from whence it can be periodically removed by simply disconnecting said adapter from the shell 13. A further feature accruing to my present improvements is the fact that I eXhaust the oily vapor from the motor crank-case or valve chest at a'level Where it is highly distilled or vaporized, and, incidentally any constitu'ents susceptible of. enriching-or capable of use in v chamber where the hydro-carbon constituents are consumed and the water vapor adds slightly to the efficiency of the motor.

It w ll also be noted that the crank-case is not subjected to' an excessive vacuum since the vapors which are forced out of said crankcase by pressure due to the vaporization of volatile liquids are simply conducted into the zone of the 'carburetter intake or horn 10, while the suction upon the crank-case may be reduced as low as desired.

- By virtue of the detachability of the adapter l, shell 13, and flexible connection 25, it Will be apparent that my improved air cleaner may be dismantled with case, for purposes of cleansing if-and Whendesired.

Incidentally with the usual type of dry centrifugal air cleaners, to the smooth surface of which dust cannot adhere, it has'been necessary or deemed essential to revert or turn back the course of the air stream. This caused very considerable carburetter air restrictione-especi'ally at high speed, thus reducing Volumetric efliciency of the motor and causing the cleaner to act rather as a choke to such an extent, that it became customary among carburetter manufacturers to furnish special carburetters, or ones With special adjustments to take care of these over-rich mixtures at high speed. On the other hand, my novel type of air cleaner does not revert the air stream, but, incident to dependence upon-the adhesive character of its oily surface utilizes this novel principle of coilecting dust, it is not necessary to cause air restriction, while affording unimpecled con- -stant air flow. Still further 'I have noted after continued use, the lower convolution of the spiral and surrounding tube ,Wall 13, mainly function to collect the finer dust particles in the entering air, leaving the part adjoining the adapter section 16 substantially clean at all times, thereby afi'ording a freer flow for the heavier particles into the trapping space as well as aifording a better vehicle for 'conveyance of the reusable volatile constituents back to the engine, and, as a result, greatly enhancing the efliciency of my device.

While I have illustrated and described my invention, with some degree of particularity, I realize that -in practice changes therein may be made; and, accordingly, the' right is hereby reserved to make all such reasonable variations of a structural character as are fairly encompassed by liberal interpretation accorded the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what `I claim is:-

1. An air cleaner comprising a cylinder having an adapter attachment at one end the vapor inlet is connectable into a source producing such oily vapor.

2. An air cleaner comprising a cylinder with one end open and the other partially closed, a spiral in said cylinder defining a comparatively extensive transversely-corrugated surface over which the air must flow, an adapter fittingthe artially-closed cylinder end With capacity or varied positioning relative thereto, and means whereby oily vapor from a source of production is conducted intothe cylinder remote from thc adapter for diametrical discharge and diffusion over the spiralized corrugate surface.

3. An air cleaner comprising a cylinder having one end open and the other partially closed by a cupped-cap With a concentric flaring orifice, a spiral insert in'the cylinder of transversely-corrugated flight defining a comparatively extensive surface over which the air must flow, an angle` adapter having snap-engagement into the cylinder cap flaring orifice with capacity for varied angular deflection relative to the cylinder axis, and means whereby oily vapor is conducted into the cylinder for diametrical discharge and difusion over the spiral corrugate surface and inner wall of said cylinder.

4. An air cleaner comprising a cylinder having one end open and the other partially closed by a cupped-cap with a concentric flaring orifice, a spiral insert in the cylinder made of comparatively-thin transverselycorrugated material to define an extensive surface over Which the air must flow, an angled adapter having a circumferential corrugation about its bend for snapping engagement into the cylinder cap flaring orifice with capacity for varied angular deflection relative to the axis of the cylinder, and means whereby oily vapor is conducted into the cylinder remote from the adapter for diffusion over the spiral-corrugate surface and inner Wall of said cylinder.

5. An air' cleaner comprising a cylinder having one end open and the other partially closed by a cupped-cap with a concentric flaring orifice, a spiral insert in the cylinder made of thin transversely-corrugated Sheet material over which the air must flow, an angled adapter having a circumferential corrugation about its bend for snapping engagement into the cylinder cap flaring orifice with capacity for varied angular deflection relative to the axis of the cylinder, the inner end of the adapter and cupped cylinder cap jointly providing a trap for collection of heavier'particles of matter contained in the air, and means whereby oily vapor'is conducted into the cylinder remote from the adapter for difi'usion 'over the spiral and cylinder inner surface.

6. An air cleaner comprisin a cylinder having one end o en and the ot er partially closed by awcuppe -cap with a concentric flaring orifice, a spiral insert in the cylinder made of thin transversely-corrugated Sheet material and over Which the air must flow, an angled adapter having a circumferential corrugation about its bend for snapping engagement into the cylinder cap flaring orifice with capacity for varied angular deflection relative to the axis of the cylinder, the inner end of the adapter and cupped cylinder cap jointly providing a trap for collection 'of heavier particles of matter contained in the air, a tube supported diametrically across the open end of the cylinder With a slot facing the adjoining end of the spiral, and means for conducting oily vapor to said tube for diflusion over the spiral and cylinder inner Wa l.

7. An air cleaner comprising a cylinder having one end open and the other partially closed by a cupped-cap With a concentric flaring orifice, a spiral insert in the cylinder A made of thin transversely-corrugated sheet material to define a surface for dust collection from the inflowing air, an angled adapt- 5 er having a circumferential corrugation about its bend for snapping engagement into the cylinder cap flaring orifice With capacity for varied angular deflection relative to the axis of the cylinder, the inner end of the adapter and cupped cylinder cap jointly providing a trap for collection of heavier particles of matter contained in the air, a tube supported diametrically across the open end of the cylinder With a slot' facing the adjoining end of the spiral, and a flexible connection v With a rigid terminal for projection into a zone of oily vapor, Whereby said oily Vapor is conducted to the devi ce and emitted via the tube slot for difi'usion over the spiral and 40 cylinder inner surface.

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 7th day of September, 1927.

JOSEPH P. REMINGTON. 

